NECA-NSITF workplace project takes off

Some major employers/industries in Lagos have received ambulances and other safety equipment to assist their injured employees, courtesy of the NECA-NSITF Safe Workplace Intervention Project.

Managing Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Alhaji Munir Abubakar, make this known at the Follow-up Interactive Enlightenment on ECA 2010 organised by the NSITF and Unite Consult Limited, in Lagos.

Abubakar said: “We will touch the whole country,” adding that employers should comply with the Employees Compensation Act (ECA).

He said the Fund was working with some social security outfits abroad, such as Zambia, learn from them, adding that employers should contribute their quota to the success of the scheme by paying for their employees to the Fund.

Abubakar said that was the only way they could support the Fund, and ensure its success.

Besides, he said only proper documentation would afford employees the opportunity to benefit from the ECS when there is a problem.

So far, he said the fund has received 412 applications for claims without proper documentation while “NSITF has received 4,507 as notice of accidents or deaths”.

Briefing the unions on delays in claims processing, Abubakar said: “Failure to complete relevant ECS forms or failure to include required attachments, ignorance of the manner of accidents/diseases covered by the act, among others, are some of the challenges affecting delay in claims”.

In case of injury, he said: “Compensations for disabilities arising from injuries/diseases suffered in the course of work, a sum equal to 90 per cent of the injured employee’s total remuneration payable monthly”.

The director also affirmed that NSITF is committed to reducing incidence removing sufferings, anxiety, insecurity and material deprivation of the often less privileged employees.

“NSITF is committed to quality service that is guided by the principle of accountability, transparency and integrity”, he added.

Abubakar , who also complained that many employers do not pay well, stressed noted: “Parts of the plan of the scheme, is the accreditation of hospitals and clinics all over the country that will be used for the treatment of injured persons under scheme, committee working on the opening of rehabilitation centres/vocational training centres in compliance with the provisions of the act”.

He disclosed that as at August 31, over 1,000 employers have registered in the scheme.